Tied In Tentacles

by Megs Pritchard, Jenn Sharon Fiction Editing (Editor), Delaney Rain (Illustrator)

Justin wanted peace, not drama. A quiet Christmas alone in a mountain cabin was supposed to help him recover from a brutal breakup. The last thing he expected was a neighbor who made his pulse race—and who’s hiding more than he lets on.

Eteriion has been stranded on Earth for years, keeping to himself and hiding the truth about what he is. Loneliness has become normal, until Justin arrives and changes everything.

The attraction between them is instant and intense. But Justin doesn’t know the man next door is an alien, and Eteriion isn’t sure if revealing the truth will bring them closer—or drive Justin away for good.

Snow. Secrets. Desire. This Christmas, love might be the most dangerous risk of all.

Genres: M M Romance, Christmas, Romance

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2025

About the author

What can I say about me? I have two boys who keep me on my toes and a cat who adopted us. She walked in one day and hasn’t left. We might be getting a dog too. Who knows?

I love to read about men in love. Flawed, but strong men, who need some TLC and find their happy ending. I love to write about those same type of men too, sometimes with added kink! I also love to read horrors, thrillers and crime novels.

When I’m not trying to keep my boys in line, or writing about hot sexy men, I like to work on my allotment. I also like to read, to take walks in the countryside, and visit historical places. Recently, we went to Stonehenge and Avebury. It was an amazing experience.

Reviews

[made you loooook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was overall pretty delightful. Both of the MCs were very likable and cute together.

I enjoyed their story and I love a bit of forced proximity—plus, hell yeah I love a tentacle story.

There was a bit of light misogyny in here that wasn’t my favorite:
“I don’t want to be seen as weak though, because I’m not. I’m still a man and I want to be treated as a man.”
So, that wasn’t cool, but it was also kinda an isolated incident in the book.

The ending was rushed, but still satisfying at least. Overall, I was glad I read the book and found it to be a nice little holiday tentacle story.

Thanks to the author and GRR for the ARC.

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tied In Tentacles is part of the multi author Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0 series. Each book can be read as a standalone but why not enjoy the whole series. This is the story of Justin a human and Eteriion a tentacled alien. This was a quick fun read. This was a little choppy in places but still enjoyable. I loved the characters and tentacles. This book is just a fun way to start the holiday reading. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book and series.
received a free review copy

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rating this a 3.5 to 4 stars...I love all things tentacles and this has one was completely different than what I'm use to and expect. I would have enjoyed this more if I wasn't annoyed with all the repetitious reminders of how short the time the couple had together and how it just wouldn't work. Now it was A LOT of sexy times...feelings grew and yeah there was a nice HEA. Love overcame all that fear of loneliness...communication is the key.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tied In Tentacles by Megs Pritchard is part of the multi author Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0 series. It's a sweet holiday story with some added delight. Tentacles.
Five years ago, while observing Earth, a bird strike caused Eteriion's ship to crash land outside Spring Heights. Locals rescued him, nursed him back to health and provided him with a cabin in the mountains. Contact lenses conceal his eyes and hats hide his tentacles. Mostly. The only member of his species on Earth, he's lonely.
After Simon, his boyfriend of three years, cheated on him, Justin decided to take their planned anniversary trip, solo, to reassess his life. Although he planned on being alone, he couldn't help noticing the hottie next door with the weird hat.
They hook up after which Justin has a surprisingly short meltdown over the tentacles. A snow storm and a broken generator cause them to hole up in one cabin, where they get to know each other.
The story was sweetly paced, the steam sizzled. Eteriion's loneliness is really the only angst in the story. His mountain town found family was sweet, it was their suggestions which gave him the ability to live unmolested by government scientists. Without the epilogue, the story was bittersweet.
The entire story really was quite sweet. Not as cartoonish as some I-slept-with-an-alien stories. Thoughtfully and well written. Megs Pritchard isn't one of my usual go to authors. This book says I should read more.
I received an advanced copy of this e book and this is my review.

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is part of the multi-author Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0 series and is a standalone read. Each book is set over the Christmas holidays and one member of the featured couple has tentacles. This is a fun series to read. This is the story of Justin and Eteriion. Justin has just had his life changed irrevocably. He has learned that his serious boyfriend has been cheating on him and ends the relationship. He goes to this mountainous cabin to reset his life. Eteriion is an alien who crash landed on earth 5 years earlier. Thanks to the help of locals he lives here isolated. His ship was destroyed and he can never return home. Loneliness is his constant companion. That and the strange hat the he wears to hide his tentacles while out in public. And he just happens to live next door to the cabin that Justin is renting. This is their story. The book is written well and is easy to read. I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review. There is an instant spark between Justin and Eteriion that continues to just grow brighter. Thankfully there is a winter snow storm that traps them together so that Justin can adjust to the fact that his neighbor is an actual alien. This is a fun and lighthearted story that does not run short on the steam factor. Another enjoyable book in this series.

[DebbieReadsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This book is part of the Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0 series. 21 books, by different author, related only by the fact that one partner has tenacles and its set around Christmas. So no need to read any others.

This book was a lot of fun! I really enjoyed it. It past a very enjoyable afternoon, curled up on the sofa while not feeling great.

Justin runs away for Christmas after finding his boyfriend has been cheating. Eteriion is in the next door cabin, but he's been there years, after he crashed landed from space. The locals know who and what he is, but Justin just knows he is pulled to the man with the floppy hats!

It's only short, some 120 pages, but it packs so much steam! It's emotional in places, too.

Loved Justin's reaction to Eteriion's secret, but also, after that shock, how much he loves Eteriion being like he is.

Hated that Justin took so long away from Eteriion but I know why it had to happen.

Been a while since I read any Ms Pritchard and I thoroughly enjoyed this tale!

4 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tied in Tentacles is a delightfully fun, quirky holiday romance that blends cosy winter vibes with just the right splash of sci-fi spice. Justin’s plan for a quiet, drama-free Christmas in a mountain cabin goes off the rails the moment he meets Eteriion—mysterious, gentle, and hiding far more than a simple secret. Their instant attraction is warm and sweet, with a hint of danger that makes every moment between them feel charged.

Eteriion’s loneliness is truly touching, and watching him start to hope again as Justin enters his life gives the story its emotional core. And yes—the tentacles add an extra layer of charm and playfulness that fits the Tinsel & Tentacles series perfectly. Even with a few slightly choppy moments, the pacing keeps the story moving quickly, making it an easy, enjoyable festive read.

A short, spicy, and surprisingly tender alien-meets-human Christmas romance—ideal for kicking off your holiday reading with something fun and a little bit unusual.

I received a free ARC copy and this is my honest review.

[Book Hoarder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can just skip right over the Christmas stories, but they always bring Tentacle releases that I can’t resist.
Eteriion is just your typical alien with a head full of tentacles who has been stranded on planet Earth after his spaceship crashed from a bird strike. Some kind, local residents found him and nursed him back to health and hid him in a cabin upon the mountain. But it has been five years, and he is no closer to finding fuel for his space ship. Five years without companionship other than his hand. And he is lonely.
Justin rented a cabin up on the mountain for the holidays, nursing a bad breakup from a cheating ex and wanting to be alone. He did notice the hot guy with the funny hat in the cabin next door and while he was not looking for a hookup, dinner together ended up in a hot one. A massive snowstorm and only one working generator have them stuck together for a week.
Want and longing on both sides when Justin has to go back to his job and his life, but an HEA is on the horizon. Fun read.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of the multi author Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0 series and features a tentacled alien who crash landed on earth and was unable to return to his planet due to spaceship issues and the human who was trying to figure out his feelings following a breakup with his cheating ex.

This is a cute, little, novella length read, just a bit over a hundred pages. It may not be this deep, insightful story but it is really sweet with a lonely alien who had been alone for five years with no hope of returning home and wanted nothing more than to have a meaningful connection with the sad, good looking human staying in the cabin next door.

I can’t say whether or not I’ll ever reread it but I CAN say I enjoyed it in the moment. It wasn’t heavy or anything, mostly lighthearted with tons of steam and the vast majority of it spent horizontal so if you’re looking for a short steamy read with talented tentacles, check this one out. 4 stars

I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

bird strike, black & blue steak, mind-blowing sex, balls & tentacles, snow tunnel, aurora borealis, snow melt timer

Splendidly sweet. Human Justin has his life fall apart and goes to an out-of-the-way mountain cabin to reset. While there he meets alien Eteriion who has been stranded on Earth after his spaceship crashed. The town knows about him and are cool with his tentacles. Still, he's alone and lonely. He spies a new renter occupant move into the cabin next door. Eteriion feels a strange attraction to the stranger. Guess who it is?! Yup. They have instant chemistry.

I liked this book for what it is. It's good and an enjoyable diversion. I recommend it.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'His tentacles wrapped around his body, and he hugged himself as the depth of his loneliness sank deep inside. He appreciated the humans around him, but he missed having that special someone.'

I loved this book. It was such a cute hurt/comfort romance. Good world building and wonderful characters. I loved both Justin and Eteriion, the way they connected, and the sizzling chemistry between them. Eteriion was so lonely, and Justin was still healing from a cheating ex. They were really cute and sweet together. I got really emotionally invested in these two and I wish their story was longer. This is the first story I've read by this author and I would read more. 5 stars

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justin and Eteriion story was interesting with a little bittersweet aftertaste and a happy ending.
The connect instantly, but the moment when the alien side is revealed there’s a bit of freak-out that they get over eventually.
I liked their hot, intense moments, the tentacles shenanigans, but the moment of separation still hangs around them.
There was a bit of separation until things were put in order for their future to be possible.
I would have liked seeing Eteriion's world and other adventures as they explore the space.

* this is an ARC review and is my honest opinion

[Heather Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy and quick read between a human and an alien with a snowed-in setting. It’s a cute read.

Eteriion has been stranded on Earth for past 5 years. He’s built a small community of people who help him out and have included him in their family, but he’s still lonely. When Justin shows up, staying in the cabin next door.

The two hit it off immediately. Then Justin discovers aliens exist. As they work through that revelation, they build on their feelings for one another.

The story is a bit choppy, but it’s sweet and quick.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you don't like instalust this is not the book for you.
I'd like to know how this story evolves because the author left a couple things unfinished.
The chemistry between Justin and Eteriion is off the charts. I liked how they both think about the future almost from the start, while being aware about the obstacles and how difficult it would be.
The great revelation was hilarious and despite feeling rushed at times I really liked the book.
I believe Eteriion tentacles were quite original in this kind of kink.
A fast read, I recommend it!

[Justine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was a fun, short read. Justin rents a cabin for two weeks after a break up and it just so happens to be next door to a tentacle alien lol. This story is definitely smut heavy with a bit of plot in there. I found it hard to differentiate between who was talking due to the writing style, and it was a bit choppy at times. I picked up a book about tentacles tho so I wasn’t too worried about logic and reality. Super quick, holiday, alien read and an overall fun break from reality!

[Molly Otto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure about this one. Justin and Eti yes had immense sexual attraction and yet I didn't quite feel the spark of compatibility between them. I know in part was because they knew there time was limited, so Eti kept up walls to not be in hurt. But in that he made it hard for their connection to deepen. It felt that Justin gave his all and Eti only allowed some when Justin kept proving himself. One of those had more potential that the summation of the story.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justin is human and recovering from a bad break-up. Eteriion is an alien, who happens to have tentacles and he has been on earth for a while. He is attracted to Justin and gets a chance with him when Justin's ex comes to call - he didn't get the memo that they were over. A quick fun, insta-romance story that gave two guys in need of being with someone good a chance to get together.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more the merrier. Justin, heads to the mountains to lick his wounds from a bad breakup. He thinks his emotions are done until he sees his neighbor Eteriion who is a total turnon. Eteriion is a tentacled alien stranded for many years used to the lonliness of keeping his secret. They are attracted to each other and maneuvering around secrets make the story lots of fun. Exes who can't take no, provide a challeng and opportunity. Nicely done.

[Jvles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story. I wasn't thrilled by the writing as the conversations felt unnatural and choppy and the story was not really believable in terms of some of the character's behaviours. But if you suspend your disbelief and just go with the writing you still get a sexy, enjoyable short alien love story.

[M E · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, sweet alien insta-lust story. I loved the characters and was entertained by the tentacles 🌶️🌶️🌶️.

It was a bit repetitive at times but overall was worth the read. A nice holiday romance to warm you up at night.

Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews and Megs Pritchard for the advanced copy. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

3.0 ⭐️

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. The explanation of why Eteriion was here was well thought out. Justin needed to get away to think. Then he needed to go home to really decide whether he wanted. My only issue was that the ending didn’t fit the flow of the rest of the story. It felt rushed and not as detailed as the rest.

[K-Me · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for some quick and easy tentacle loving for the holiday this one fits the bill. Justin is human and finds some instant hot physical chemistry with our alien Eteriion. This is a novella, and the tentacle smut is fun, but I personally could have used just a little more character development and romance mixed in.

[Traci S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you for the book; here is my honest opinion:
2.5⭐️Sorry to say I didn’t enjoy Justin and Eteriion’s story. The dialogue was a little cringe and I didn’t really care for Justin’s character. The steam did not really work either as everything felt forced, and without any chemistry. The parts that worked for me were the bits of Eteriion and his human rescuers, that felt the most authentic.

[b00ks_in_nature · Rating 4 out of 5]

So admittedly I chose this book based on the title, as I love basically anything tentacles. I was expecting something water related, and I got an alien. (No points deducted for my own mistake.) After recalibrating a little, I did enjoy this story. I liked the characters and appreciated the (a little rushed) HEA they found.

[smatchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was pretty good, the premise was interesting. Very steamy! The dialogue was kind of awkward in places, and I couldn’t tell if it was intentional due to Eteriion being and alien because sometimes it was Justin. The end felt rushed as well.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of the multi author Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0 series, this is a 3.5⭐️s read but I’ve rounded it up to 4⭐️s, it was short, fun and steamy holiday novella about Justin and Eteriion but some bits didn’t work for me and the ending was a bit rushed but it was still a good read.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow, Christmas cabin, human recovering from a break-up and a tentacled alien who has pretty much accepted being lonely. The author has put all these elements together in a charming holiday romance, just perfect to get those decorating vibes going.

[Lyndsay TC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inta-Connection

I picked up this book from a recommendation in a newsletter and thought tentacles could be fun. It was definitely different with where the tentacles were but still super spicy with how they were used. The storyline was cute and overall kept me entertained.

[Adoraboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super fun, cozy, and sweet.

[Readingbks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a fun quick and easy read! Great story and engaging characters! I read an advanced copy of this book and this is my unbiased review!